Stripes win Knock-Out to complete the double
by Ayrton Galea - 18th May 2017Birkirkara FC Women's Team clinched the Women's Knock-Out for the thirteenth time on Wednesday evening, when they defeated Kirkop United FC with a 2-0 score. For the Stripes, this achievement finished their season in style after they have won their sixth league title last month.
Two quick-fire goals in space of three minutes in the first-half were enough for the Stripes to win the Women's second prestigious honour for their thirteenth time in history, and rounded off their season in style to clinch their fifth double and the first one since 2013.
It was a deserved victory for the Stripes, especially for their efforts they did in the first-half when they were denied twice from the post and had also a shot on goal cleared from the goal-line. On the other hand, Kirkop United lost this match with their heads held high following a good-display.
The First Half
The Stripes were unlucky not to surge ahead after seven minutes. Playmaker Tracy Teuma delivered an inch-perfect corner kick on the second post that saw Ann-Marie Said rising high to hit a powerful header but her effort smashed against the post.
Birkirkara were dictating the play, but they were unable to penetrate the organised Kirkop defence. However, the Stripes were unlucky on the twenty-first minute, when in an identical action, Said's effort from a Teuma's corner was cleared from the goal-line.
The Stripes surged ahead on the thirty-seventh minute. A cross from the right by side-back Yasmeen Vella saw Kim Parnis hitting a wonderful first-time effort that gave goalkeeper Sharon Costantino no chance.
Kirkop were stunned and the Stripes added to their woes by the second goal just a minute later. Teuma delivered another inch-perfect corner kick that saw Captain Stephania Farrugia's powerful header beating Costantino.
Ten minutes before half-time, the Stripes were denied by the post again. Forward Kelly Agius Pace made a powerful run inside the box and after dribbled past her marker, she saw her shot hitting the crossbar and into a goal-kick.
The Second Half
The change of sides after the break didn't bring a change of fortunes as the Stripes were denied by the post for the third time. Mariah Sciberras, patrolling the left side-back, made a wonderful solo-action before hitting a screamer that saw goalkeeper Costantino tip the ball into the crossbar, before the defenders cleared into safety.
Tracy Teuma tried her luck with a shot from outside the box but goalkeeper Costantino saved without difficulty, while two minutes later, Ann-Marie Said saw her header ending wide.
In Kirkop's best scoring opportunity, when Demi Magrin dashed forward to reach a through-ball but the latter took the long and her shot was easily saved by goalkeeper Janice Xuereb, despite Liiz Pello looked unmarked on the left.
The Stripes went close to add the third goal in the last minutes when Stephania Farrugia's effort off a free-kick by Gabriella Zahra ended over while Giusti's lob from outside the box scratched past the post, as the score remained unchanged.
The full-time whistle brought joy to the Stripes clan who clinched their fifth double in history. Mr. Pierre Brincat presented the cup to Captain Stephania Farrugia.
BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Gabriella Zahra, Ann-Marie Said, Kim Parnis, Stephania Farrugia, Mariah Sciberras (50' Cassie Camilleri), Tracy Teuma (72' Leanne Micallef), Alishia Sultana, Raina Giusti, Yasmeen Vella, Kelly Agius Pace (58' Sarah Urpani).
Referee: Shaun Calleja.
Scorers: 36' Kim Parnis, 38' Stephania Farrugia.
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